Ah, the third Friday in June and you know what that means – another crop of new music releases! Like the previous two Fridays, Friday, June 16 is top-heavy with big-name artists: Lorde, 2 Chainz, and Nickelback. The crown jewel is none other than the Kiwi artists herself, who drops her sophomore album, Melodrama.

1. Lorde, ‘Melodrama’

Republic

Alternative pop darling Lorde returns after nearly a four-year hiatus between albums. Her sophomore album, Melodrama follows-up her 2013 Grammy-winning debut, Pure Heroine (“Royals” won Record of the Year). Melodrama got off to a quick start with singles “Green Light” and “Liability.” After the buzz waned a bit, Lorde released two additional singles, “Sober” and closing track, “Perfect Places.” The album is comprised of just 11 songs with no guest features.

2. 2 Chainz, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music

Def Jam

Technically, 2Chainz released a new album in March 2016, ColleGrove. Also, that surprise effort was actually a collaborative project with Lil Wayne, who couldn’t technically be named to as a joint artist because of contractual issues. Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, hence, is the rapper’s first proper solo album since his September 2013 album, B.O.A.T.S.II: #METIME. Comprised of 16 songs, four singles arrived prior to the album: “Good Drank” featuring Gucci Mane & Quavo, “4 AM” featuring Travis Scott, “Big Amount” featuring Drake, and “It’s a Vibe” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz & Jhené Aiko.

3. Nickelback, Feed the Machine

Nickelback / BMG Rights Management

Canadian rock band Nickelback returns its ninth studio album, Feed the Machine. Feed the Machine arrives nearly three years after No Fixed Address (November 2014). Comprised of just 11 songs, three singles arrived prior to Feed the Machine: “Feed the Machine,” “Song on Fire,” and “Must Be Nice.”

4. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound

Southeastern

Singer/songwriter Jason Isbell returns with his band – 400 Unit – on The Nashville Sound. For Isbell, Nashville Sound follows his Grammy-winning Americana album, Something More Than Free (2015). Composed of 10 songs, four songs arrived ahead of The Nashville Sound: “Cumberland Gap,” “White Man’s World,” “If We Were Vampires,” and “Hope the High Road.”

6. Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up

Nonesuch

Indie rock band Fleet Foxes returns with its third studio album, Crack-Up. Crack-Up arrives six years after Helplessness Blues. Comprised of 11 songs, three singles arrived prior to the album: “Third of May / Ōdaigahara,” “If You Need to, Keep Time on Me,” and “Fool’s Errand.”

About the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He’s a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he’s blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.